Report to Sutherland Shire Council’s
Economic Development Committee Meeting
Wednesday 16 September 2009
Economic Development Unit
www.shirebusiness.com.au
Overview
The EDU has been consulting widely with local business operators during the
course of recent research. Their feelings as to the state of the economy, and
therefore their business outlook, reflects the national media, in that there is
steady optimism that conditions will improve slightly over the coming twelve
months …. provided there is no “double-dip” in the coming months. Many of
them are thinking of ways to prepare for the upturn.
EDU, and similar agencies and organisations, such as the BEC, are focusing
on three things to assist business;
 education & training programs for start-ups and to assist established
business to grow, (including Tradestart and new workplace information)
 mentoring programs and access to experienced mentors
 providing facilitated networking opportunities.
Practical and effective ways of delivering these objectives will form the focus
of our activities in the coming months, as the next Local Environment Plan
(LEP) is developed.
Therefore, the Economic Development Business Plan and Strategic Review
will continue as a major part of the September EDC meeting agenda.
Discussion began at the July meeting, with a presentation on the spatial
distribution of home based businesses and locations of large land lots that
hold development potential.
The EDU has been engaged in organising the year’s major event;
The September Business Conference, which will be held on Friday 18
September, at Club Menai, 7.30am to 1pm.
The theme is GET READY FOR THE UPTURN
The program, the venue, the EXPO, everything is set for this coming Friday.
This year we’ve had an increase in interest by businesses seeking to be
sponsors, with most asking for involvement in the EXPO, which may indicate
that business is seeking opportunities to promote themselves and seek out
new business opportunities …... getting ready for the upturn !
The Economic Development Team is looking forward to seeing committee
members at the Conference.
Property/staff/econ devel officer/ EDC /report to EDC Sept 2009
Events during last period
The EDU has been strongly engaged in the organisation of the September business
conference during this period.
A series of (4) focus groups for home-based businesses was facilitated by EDU and
council’s Strategic Planning Unit, to glean more in-depth information on how & where they do
business, where they source clients (mostly from outside the Shire, by the way, which is akin
to “export” income), and what they feel they need (from council and other agencies) to do
business better. This is the third stage of a comprehensive study into this sector, which
combined, forms the foundation for greater understanding of the sector’s contribution to our
local economy and local community, and therefore opportunities for policy development.
An important finding was that the home business sector is keen to engage; they think council
could help them by facilitating more networking opportunities, and by providing “places” for
them to meet each other and business clients.
A summary of findings and implications will be presented to the Research & Marketing subcommittee.
The M-EDU attended an Employment Forum 16 August, at the Sutherland Services Club,
which was the first opportunity for the Employment Agencies with recently appointed
government contracts for the LGA and the region to gather together. Most of these service
providers are new to the area, and EDU subsequently met with the main players in the
sector. This was an important networking opportunity for all, and we will see many attending
organisations at the September conference.
EDU presented the findings of the e-collaboration study to the Australian Industry
Defence networking (AIDN) breakfast meeting, 12 August, at Tradies Club, Gymea.
AIDN were a major partner in the research, are one of our significant networking partners and
hold 4 of their networking events in the Shire over the course of the year, because of the local
membership and because of the strong collaboration with council.
M-EDU attended an Australian Business Register development forum by the Australian
Taxation Office, 25 August, convened to improve the data services of the ABR, which is the
data set we have used to research the home business sector, among other investigations.
The next China Lunchroom will be held on Friday 25 September, as usual, at the St
George Leagues Club. This event will feature trade with India.
The CLR continues to attract around 150 attendees, and committee members are most
welcome to attend.
Ongoing EDU Activities
Web site :
http://www.shirebusiness.com.au
Check out the totally new, clean style and format !!!
And keep informed of upcoming events and latest useful links
Data bases :
ATO data base of active ABNs currently incorporated in council’s E-View system by Land
Information Unit. Identifying locations, by “lot” of all registered ABNs in Sutherland Shire, by
anzsic category and ABNs per location. This unique spatial mapping work was developed by
council’s Land Information Unit.
Data base of business contacts continues to be updated from events and meeting.
Networks / Clusters
The Sutherland Shire Marine Association
SSMA AGM held Wed 8 July at Caringbah Business Club.
Property/staff/econ devel officer/ EDC /report to EDC Sept 2009
Regular meeting held 26 August at Caringbah Business Club, and their agenda and activities
are developing well and may be reported at committee; including an association with Gymea
TAFE Film course to shoot on sites this Spring. Membership is growing.
http://www.shiremarine.com.au
TheShireIT Cluster
The cluster has concluded a review of objectives, business plan and marketing strategies.
Membership remains steady, as developments are made to the web site.
Meeting held 4 September, and may be reported at EDC.
http://www.theshireIT.org
The Science Education Network concept is proceeding steadily. A working Group has
been established. Cl. Blight chairs this innovative concept.
Representatives from major infrastructure have been informed. The NSW Dept of Education
& Training is a keen supporter. Meetings have taken place with Science Education Unit from
DSRD.
Caltex has been approached and are interested in joining the working group.
A discussion paper has been produced and sent to the members of the working group for
comment.
Continuing Collaborations





The Southern Sydney Business Development Centre, (the BEC, NSW
DSRD, Aust Institute of Export-Tradestart) co-involvement and cross-selling between
EDU and SSBDC organs.
Sutherland BEN, M-ED representing council on SBEN board.
Regular meeting 4 September, following new agreement with the
Commonwealth Government
Apprenticeship & workplace training collaboration DoE&T, training orgs and
business, with these organisation involved in Get THAT Job workshop and several
BDW workshops.
Australian industry defence network (AIDN) with regular meetings held locally in
Sutherland Shire
University of Wollongong collaboration in research and support to ED events.
Research program
Research into Home Business sector;
A student from the UWS co-operative employment program has been engaged by EDU to
collate and analyse additional responses to the e-survey, as a validation sample to the initial
nov-dec 2008 survey. The second batch does validate the first survey sample.
A series of four Focus Groups of HBB operators will be held late July to investigate issues
relating to self definition, use of centres, cafes and restaurants for meetings, and use of
business support services among other issues. SPU & EDU will facilitate these groups.
E-collaboration study Report;
An Exploration of Enablers, Inhibitors and Measures of success in SME eCollaboration
This research is available and can be viewed on EDU web site www.shirebusiness.com.au
This is our contribution to the national research program with the UoW and other universities
with National Research Council support & funding.
Metro Strategy employment targets project;
with SSC Planning Unit, NSWDoP & Canterbury & Hurstville councils.
Draft final report currently under consideration by the project team.
This important project will be available for EDC consideration.
EDU in-house research program.
Property/staff/econ devel officer/ EDC /report to EDC Sept 2009
Project reports are available for viewing and downloading from
http://www.shirebusiness.com.au/research/projects
With thanks, and we look forward to seeing you all at the conference Friday 18 September.
Manager-Economic Development
Sutherland Shire Council
2Sept09
Property/staff/econ devel officer/ EDC /report to EDC Sept 2009